As the city’s major protective service, the Toronto Police have perpetuated the myth and stereotype of ‘the slut’, and in doing so have failed us. With sexual assault already a significantly under-reported crime, survivors have now been given even less of a reason to go to the Police, for fear that they could be blamed. Being assaulted isn’t about what you wear; it’s not even about sex; but using a pejorative term to rationalize inexcusable behaviour creates an environment in which it’s okay to blame the victim.

Maybe you’ve heard the blame the victim language . . .

“She* shouldn’t have been wearing clothes like that.”

“She shouldn’t have been in that place at that time of day/night.”

“She shouldn’t have been wearing that perfume.”

“She shouldn’t have been flirting.”

“She shouldn’t have been drinking.”

(* When it comes to rape, “she” may also be a “he” and male victims come in for just as much blame as female victims, with their own male brand of victim-blaming language — “He should have been tougher/dressed more like a real guy/fought back . . .” .)

And yes, in Kansas City. The event had to be postponed because of permit issues last July, but everything is a go for today. I can’t be there because of other obligations, but it’s possible other clergy will be there. For instance, Westboro Baptist Church, led by Fred Phelps, has said they were going to protest the event, which should be rather hilarious. From the KC Pitch:

Completely missing the point, Westboro does not acknowledge the crime of sexual assault in its here-we-come press release. Instead, the irony-impaired church quotes Scripture relating to the mouths of whorish women.

Yep, it’s all the fault of the women. Thanks for making the marchers’ point for them, Fred.

(And no, I won’t link to the press release. I try not to feed publicity-seeking trolls.)

If Slutwalk hasn’t made it to your neighborhood yet, they may be on their way. Check out the list of future marches here: Ithaca, Minneapolis, Portland, Nashville, New York City, Singapore . . . Don’t see the name of a city near you? Maybe it’s time to organize your own march.

Peterr

I'm an ordained Lutheran pastor with a passion for language, progressive politics, and the intersection of people's inner sets of ideals and beliefs (aka "faith" to many) and their political actions. I mostly comment around here, but offer a weekly post or two as well. With the role that conservative Christianity plays in the current Republican politics, I believe that progressives ignore the dynamics of religion, religious language, and religiously-inspired actions at our own peril. I am also incensed at what the TheoCons have done to the public impression of Christianity, and don't want their twisted version of it to go unchallenged in the wider world. I'm a midwesterner, now living in the Kansas City area, but also spent ten years living in the SF Bay area. I'm married to a wonderful microbiologist (she's wonderful all the way around, not just at science) and have a great little Kid, for whom I am the primary caretaker these days. I love the discussions around here, especially the combination of humor and seriousness that lets us take on incredibly tough stuff while keeping it all in perspective and treating one another with respect.